Australian Shephoarder

The Hoard

I've been attempting to do this for days now...but here is the pack as of July, 2008:

This was the best I could get (everyone gets very tired of sitting still and posing) after about 10 shots and 10 minutes. The baby, Tucker (in front), didn't quite understand what was going on but he learned very quickly that if he sat there and waited, he earned a reward. So, on the back row there's Dusty, Ruby, Evelyn, Piper and Olive. On the front are Sophie and Tucker.

Have a wonderful 4th of July holiday!

Colorado Shows

For the second year in a row we have made it to the Colorado Classic I & II in Colorado Springs. It is a much more scenic venue than the ones we usually frequent.
The show is three weeks long, but still overshadowed by an upcoming event, the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.
That is an event the entire city of Colorado Springs turns out for. It is also held at the Norris-Penrose Event Center.

 

There have been two Grand Prix and an exciting International Hunter Derby. There has been a cooling thunderstorm nearly every afternoon to keep the heat at bay. And, of course, lots of ribbons have been won by McKenzie riders.

We have also had the pleasure of the company of the latest addition to the Australian Shephoarder pack:

 

We are thinking of calling him "Tucker," probably because he gets "tuckered" out. Salina, KS (location of MiT Aussies, is conveniently located on the route here. He's been great and worships Olive; he loves watching the horses and does well riding in a golf cart. He brings our grand total to seven; down from an all-time high of 8 at the Eight Woof Lodge.

Something Every City Should Do

Here is a great idea from the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. It's called the Pooch Plunge.

They let all the dogs in the city go for a swim at the end of the swimming season, just before they close the pools for the winter.

<a href="http://revver.com/video/384802/pooch-plunge-2007-pool-dog-dance-party/"><img src="http://frame.revver.com/frame/120x90/384802.jpg" /></a>

Looks like lots of fun for the people and their furkids!

One Thing Before We Go...

We are off to Colorado Springs for two weeks for the Colorado Classic Horse Shows I & II.

But, before leaving I found an excellent new toy I recommend. It's called the "Busy Buddy," and was a riot for my dogs.

Basically, it's a bottle with a rope extending from the top.

You unscrew the bottom and insert treats. The bottom has small holes

from which the scent of the treats emanates.

Very fragrant and intriguing for the dogs to figure out. First they just wanted to take it from each other,

then, once they got it alone, they just wanted to sniff.

The games of keep away lasted for a long time.

Not Again!

Just when I thought the bad streak of animal death had gone away, we were struck again.

We lost Juanita in September, the the two boys, Winston and Kodie with their horrid illnesses--both passed in March. Once again we were stunned when our cat Gary died May 29.

Gary had contracted cytauxzoonosis from a tick bite--even after a strict regimen of Frontline Plus. This disease is spread by the dog tick and is usually fatal to cats.

Again, we are heartbroken and stunned.

Now, I'm keeping an eye on Lillian, who is Gary's sister and litter mate. We adopted them at the same time and they have never been apart. I think she keeps looking for him.

This photo was taken in April, 2008. Gary is the gray cat (his name is actually an anagram for gray.) It looks like Gary is whispering something to Lillian, but he was actually getting ready to clobber her. These two were the next best thing to WWF and provided us with hours of entertaining antics.

It's a Horse, Of Course

We have been on a "trial period" with Tatabra Oprah and as with most things, that trial period came to an abrupt end.
Those who deal in horses have to know the predicament buyers are in: by the time the selling comes around, the buyer has fallen in love with the animal.
With real estate and autos, there are standard sales contracts. Horse traders are still lacking in that document.
When you buy a house or car you can physically see imperfections and either let them go or demand they be fixed. Horses, unfortunately, may not display their imperfections for quite some time. And, those imperfections cannot be buffed out or cleaned up.
It's a risk that makes the stomach acid roil.
But it's a necessary risk & we are taking all possible precautions before the plunge.

Sometimes

Sometimes I just have to sit and let things stew inside.
When they burst, they burst.

What's in Your Pet's Food

Eddie, the little dog who is the spokesdog for the EWA, is collecting money to test pet foods. These will be the same evaluations that are done on food for human consumption.
Let's face it. Pet food manufacturers are not required to be totally honest about their products. They approximate, they generalize and they condense the information about exactly what their products contain--even down to the TEFLON COATED BAGS! They do not have to mention it when they change their ingredients, either.
You can help Eddie & get lots of information by going here.

Another Week, Another Show

Second show in two weeks around here and last week was an interesting time on the back of Tatabra Oprah. The daughter and the experimental horse do well together.
Competition will be much the same this week, maybe a shift, but not much different.

Miss Oprah is Green

Here's the lovely young Tatabra Oprah ready to go into one of the Children's classes at the Tulsa Spring Goshow: She had a fairly decent show, considering her training status is that she's "green," and doesn't get many lead changes & many of the other more subtle trained qualities.